Panel assembly for a motor vehicle

ABSTRACT

A panel assembly includes a trim panel and a finisher panel. The trim panel has a base portion, a support portion, and an accent portion. The accent portion is adjacent to the base portion and the support portion. The finisher panel is connected to the trim panel such that a first perimeter edge of the finisher panel is adjacent to the base portion of the audio panel, a second perimeter edge of the finisher panel is adjacent to the accent portion of the audio panel, and the support portion is concealed by the finisher panel.

CROSS-SECTION TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/015,112, which was filed on Jan. 27, 2011.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to the field of interior panels for motorvehicles.

BACKGROUND

Interior trim panel design for motor vehicles requires consideration ofnumerous competing priorities. An area of particular concern is thecenter stack, which is a portion of the instrument panel of the vehiclethat is located between the driver and passenger of the vehicle, andwhich typically houses audio controls, climate controls and othervehicle controls. Due to the prominence of the center stack, aestheticconsiderations are especially important. Due to its complexity, however,accommodating a designer's aesthetic desires is often difficult.

Due to assembly considerations, the center stack area of an instrumentpanel is typically assembled from multiple panels that must be installedwith respect to the instrument panel in a specific order. As a result ofthe use of multiple panels, aesthetic elements such as contrasting ormetallic accents often span multiple panels. This sometimes causesmisalignment between the portions of the accents as a result of designand installation tolerances. This misalignment can be especiallynoticeable in these accent areas, since they are highly visible.

In light of the foregoing, need remains for improvement in panelassemblies for motor vehicles.

SUMMARY

Panel assemblies for motor vehicles and center stack assembliesincorporating the panel assemblies are taught herein.

One panel assembly taught herein includes an trim panel and a finisherpanel. The trim panel has a base portion, a support portion, and anaccent portion. The accent portion is adjacent to the base portion andthe support portion. The finisher panel is connected to the trim panelsuch that a first perimeter edge of the finisher panel is adjacent tothe base portion of the audio panel, a second perimeter edge of thefinisher panel is adjacent to the accent portion of the audio panel, andthe support portion is concealed by the finisher panel.

Another panel assembly taught herein includes a trim panel and afinisher panel. The trim panel has a base portion, a support portion, afirst accent portion and a second accent portion.

The base portion of the audio panel and the support portion of the audiopanel are separated by a perimeter edge of the audio panel.

The first accent portion of the audio panel is positioned on a firstside of the trim panel. The first accent portion of the audio panelincludes a first groove and a first accent surface. A first portion ofthe first groove is disposed between the first accent surface and thebase portion. A second portion of the first groove is disposed betweenthe first accent surface and the support portion.

The second accent portion is positioned adjacent to a second side of thetrim panel. The second accent portion includes a second groove and asecond accent surface. A first portion of the second groove is disposedbetween the second accent surface and the base portion. A second portionof the second groove is disposed between the second accent surface andthe support portion.

The finisher panel is connected to the trim panel such that a firstperimeter edge of the finisher panel is adjacent to the perimeter edgeof the trim panel. A second perimeter edge of the finisher panel isadjacent to the first groove of the first accent portion of the trimpanel. A third perimeter edge of the finisher panel is adjacent to thesecond groove of the second accent portion of the trim panel. Thesupport portion of the trim panel is concealed by the finisher panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description herein makes reference to the accompanying drawingswherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout theseveral views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an instrument panel of a motor vehicle;

FIG. 2 is a front view showing a center stack assembly of the instrumentpanel of the motor vehicle incorporating a panel assembly;

FIG. 3 is a front view showing the panel assembly;

FIG. 4 is a top, cross-section view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a top, cross-section view of the center stack assembly takenat line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a top, cross-section view of the center stack assembly takenat line 6-6 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 7 is a side, cross-section view of the center stack assemblyshowing fastening of an audio head unit with respect to the instrumentpanel using a tool.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-2 show a center stack assembly 10 and an instrument panel 12 ofa motor vehicle. The center stack assembly 10 is connected to theinstrument panel 12, and includes an audio panel 14, an upper finisherpanel 15, and a lower finisher panel 16. An audio head unit 18 isconnected to the audio panel 14. The audio panel 14 includes a firstaccent portion 20 and a second accent portion 22 that spaces a baseportion 24 of the audio panel 14 and the lower finisher panel 16 fromthe instrument panel 12.

The instrument panel 12 defines a center stack opening 26 in which thecenter stack assembly 10 is disposed. The instrument panel 12 has anexposed outer surface 28. The center stack opening 26 is defined betweena first side edge 30 and a second side edge 32 that both border thecenter stack opening 26 and the outer surface 28 of the instrument panel12.

The lower finisher panel 16 is positioned below the base portion 24 ofthe audio panel 14, and is disposed between the first accent portion 20and the second accent portion 22 of the audio panel 14. The lowerfinisher panel 16 includes an upper edge 47, a first side edge 49, and asecond side edge 51. The upper edge 47 extends from the first side edge49 to the second side edge 51 in a cross-car direction. The lowerfinisher panel 16 is connected to the audio panel 14 such that the upperedge 47 of the lower finisher panel 16 is adjacent to the base portion24 of the audio panel, the first side edge 49 of the lower finisherpanel 16 is adjacent to the first accent portion 20 of the audio panel14, and the second side edge 51 of the lower finisher panel 16 isadjacent to the second accent portion 22 of the audio panel 14.

The upper finisher panel 15 is positioned above the base portion 24 ofthe audio panel 14, and is disposed at least partially between the firstaccent portion 20 and the second accent portion 22 of the audio panel14. The upper finisher panel 15 includes a lower edge 45, a first sideedge 31, and a second side edge 33. The lower edge 45 extends from thefirst side edge 31 to the second side edge 33 in a cross-car direction.The upper finisher panel 15 is connected to the audio panel 14 such thatthe lower edge 45 of the upper finisher panel 15 is adjacent to the baseportion 24 of the audio panel, the first side edge 31 of the upperfinisher panel 15 is adjacent to the first accent portion 20 of theaudio panel 14, and the second side edge 33 of the upper finisher panel15 is adjacent to the second accent portion 22 of the audio panel 14.

As shown in FIG. 3, the audio panel 14 includes the base portion 24, thefirst accent portion 20, the second accent portion 22, a first supportportion 40 and a second support portion 42. The audio panel 14 can befabricated from plastics or similar materials, such as by injectionmolding. Accordingly, the audio panel 14 could be a substantially rigidstructure. In addition, the audio panel 14 could be fabricated as aunitary structure. One or more of the portions of the audio panel 14could be painted to provide one or more desired surface finishes on theaudio panel 14, as will be described in detail herein.

The base portion 24 of the audio panel 14 is exposed when the centerstack assembly 10 is fully assembled. The base portion 24 is bounded byan upper lateral edge 44, a lower lateral edge 46, a first side edge 48,and a second side edge 50. An exposed surface 52 of the base portion 24is defined in the area bounded by the upper lateral edge 44, the lowerlateral edge 46, the first side edge 48, and second side edge 50.

The upper lateral edge 44 of the base portion 24 is formed adjacent tothe first support portion 40 of the audio panel 14. The lower lateraledge 46 of the base portion 24 is formed adjacent to the second supportportion 42 of the audio panel 14. Both the upper lateral edge 44 and thelower lateral edge 46 of the base portion 44 extend in a cross-cardirection from the first side edge 48 to the second side edge 50 of thebase portion 24. When assembled, the lower lateral edge 45 of the firstfinisher panel 15 and the upper lateral edge 44 of the audio panel 14are substantially co-extensive. Likewise, the upper lateral edge 47 ofthe second finisher panel 16 and the lower lateral edge 46 of the audiopanel 14 are substantially co-extensive when assembled.

The first side edge 48 of the base portion 24 is adjacent to the firstaccent portion 20 of the audio panel 14. The second side edge 50 of thebase portion 24 is opposite the first side edge 48, and is disposedadjacent to the second accent portion 22 of the audio panel 14.

One or more control openings 54 are formed through the base portion 24of the audio panel 14. When the center stack assembly 10 is assembled, aplurality of audio controls 56 of the audio head unit 18 are received inthe control openings 54. The control openings 54 may be located, forexample, at locations that are spaced from the upper lateral edge 44,the lower lateral edge 46, the first side edge 48 and the second sideedge 50 of the base portion 24, as shown in the illustrated embodiment.

The first support portion 40 is located adjacent to the upper lateraledge 44 of the base portion 24 of the audio panel 14. The first supportportion 40 is recessed with respect to the base portion 24, the firstaccent portion 20, and the second accent portion 22 of the audio panel14. In particular, the illustrated example, the first support portion 40includes a plurality of support tabs 58 having apertures 60 definedtherethrough. The support tabs 58 are recessed with respect to the baseportion 24 of the audio panel 14.

The apertures 60 defined by the first support portion 40 may beconfigured to receive clips therein, may be configured to receivefasteners for connecting the audio panel 14 to the instrument panel 12or the audio head unit 18, or may be configured as access cutouts foraccessing fasteners that secure the audio head unit 18 with respect tothe instrument panel 12. In addition to being defined adjacent to theupper lateral edge 44 of the base portion 24 of the audio panel 14, thefirst support portion 40 is also positioned between the first accentportion 20 and the second accent portion 22.

The second support portion 42 of the audio panel 14 is positionedadjacent to the lower lateral edge 46 of the base portion 24, betweenthe first accent portion 20 and the second accent portion 22. The secondsupport portion 42 is recessed with respect to the exposed surface 52 ofthe base portion 24 and is also recessed with respect to the firstaccent portion 20 and the second accent portion 22 of the audio panel14. For example, the second support portion 42 could include a basesurface 43 that is recessed with respect to the exposed surface 52 ofthe base portion 24, the first accent portion 20 and the second accentportion 22.

The second support portion 42 defines a plurality of apertures 62 thatare formed through the base surface 43 of the second support portion 42.The apertures 62 could be configured to receive clips, could beconfigured to receive fasteners that connect the audio panel 14 to theinstrument panel 12 or the audio head unit 18, or could be configured asaccess cutouts that provide access to fasteners that connect the audiohead unit 18 to the instrument panel 12.

The first support portion 40 and the second support portion 42 couldtake forms other than the ones illustrated herein. For example, thefirst support portion 40 could be provided with structure similar to thebase surface 43 and the apertures 62 of the second support portion.Similarly, the second support portion 42 could be provided withstructure similar to the support tabs 58 and apertures 60 of the firstsupport portion 42.

The first accent portion 20 is formed integrally with the base portion24, the first support portion 40, and the second support portion 42 ofthe audio panel 14. The first accent portion 20 is disposed adjacent toa first side edge 48 of the base portion 24. When assembled with respectto the instrument panel 12, the first accent portion 20 is also disposedadjacent to the first side edge 30 of the center stack opening 26 of theinstrument panel 12. Accordingly, the first accent portion 20 spaces theouter surface 28 of the instrument panel 12 from the first supportportion 40, the second support portion 42, and the base portion 24 ofthe audio panel 14, including the exposed surface 52 of the base portion24 of the audio panel 14.

The first accent portion 20 is defined by one or more exposed surfaces,as best shown in FIGS. 4-6. For example, in the illustrated embodiment,the first accent portion 20 includes a first accent surface 70 and afirst groove 72. The first accent surface 70 is disposed adjacent to thefirst side edge 30 of the center stack opening 26 of the instrumentpanel 12. The first groove 72 of the first accent portion 20 is disposedadjacent to the first support portion 40, the second support portion 42,and the first side edge 48 of the base portion 24 of the audio panel 14.Also, in the illustrated embodiment, the first groove 72 extends theentire length of the first accent portion 20, and spaces the firstaccent surface 70 apart from the exposed surface 52 of the base portion24 of the audio panel 14. The first groove 72 extends substantiallytransverse to the upper lateral edge 44 and the lower lateral edge 46 ofthe base portion 24 of the audio panel 14.

The first accent surface 70 could be angled with respect to the exposedsurface 52 of the base portion 24 of the audio panel 14 and with respectto the outer surface 28 of the instrument panel 12. For example, theexposed surface 52 of the base portion 24 of the audio panel 14 could berecessed with respect to the outer surface 28 of the instrument panel12, at least in the area adjacent to the first groove 72. By angling thefirst accent surface 70 with respect to the outer surface 28 and theexposed surface 52, a continuous surface contour is established acrossthe instrument panel 12 and the audio panel 14. Also, angling the firstaccent surface 70 with respect to the exposed surface 52 enhances theappearance that the first accent surface 70 and the base portion 24 ofthe audio panel 14 are separate panels.

The second accent portion 22 is positioned between the second side edge32 of the center stack opening 26 of the instrument panel 12 and thesecond side edge 50 of the base portion 24 of the audio panel 14. Thesecond accent portion 22 is fabricated as an integral, unitary structurewith the base portion 24, the first support portion 40, and the secondsupport portion 42 of the audio panel 14. The second accent portion 22includes a second accent surface 74 and a second groove 76. Aside frombeing formed at a location on the audio panel 14 that is opposite thefirst accent portion 20, the second accent portion 22 is identical instructure to the first accent portion 20.

The first accent portion 20 and the second accent portion 22 could eachinclude one or more surface finishes that contrast with respect to thesurface finishes of the instrument panel 12 and/or the exposed surface52 of the base portion 24 of the audio panel 14 as well as the upperfinisher panel 15 and the lower finisher panel 16. For example, thefirst accent surface 70 of the first accent portion 20 and the secondaccent surface 74 of the second accent portion 22 could each be paintedto resemble metal, and the exposed surface 52 of the base portion 24 ofthe audio panel 14 could be painted in a desired contrasting color.Other surface finishes and combinations of surface finishes could beprovided, including unpainted surface finishes, textured surfacefinishes, and veneered surface finishes.

The first groove 72 of the first accent portion 20 and the second groove76 of the second accent portion could each be colored to resemble apanel gap. This enhances the appearance that the first accent portion 20and the base portion 24 of the audio panel 14 are separate panels. Thiscan be done, for example, by molding the audio panel 14 using a materialhaving a base coloration, which can be a coloration that is desired forthe first groove 72 and the second groove 76. Masks (not shown) can thenbe applied to portions of the audio panel 14 while the remainder of theaudio panel 14 is painted as desired. One example of a mask can haveflanges that extend into the first groove 72 of the first accent portion20 and the second groove 76 of the second accent portion 22 with a bodythat overlies the base portion 24 of the audio panel 14 to shield thebase portion 24, the first groove 72, and the second groove 76 frombeing painted while painting the first accent surface 70 of the firstaccent portion 20 and the second accent surface 74 of the second accentportion 22. Another example of a mask can have a first flange thatextends into the first groove 72, a second flange that extends along anoutside edge of the first accent portion 20, and a body portion thatoverlies the first accent portion 20 to shield the first accent surface70 and the first groove 72 from being painted while painting the baseportion 24. Naturally, a similar mask can be applied to the secondaccent portion 22 to shield the second accent surface 74 and the secondgroove 76 from being painted while painting the base portion 24.

The combination of the surface finishes of the first accent surface 70,the first gap 72, the second accent surface 74, the second groove 76 andthe exposed surface 52 of the base portion 24 causes the first accentportion 20 and the second accent portion 22 to appear as if they areformed separately from the remainder of the audio panel 14. Thus, thefirst accent portion 20, the second accent portion 22, and the baseportion 24 appear to be separate panels.

This illusion that the first and second accent portions 20, 22 areseparate from the remainder of the audio panel 14 is enhanced by thefact that an upper end portion 21 a of the first accent portion 20extends upward past the upper lateral edge 44 of the base portion 24 ofthe audio panel 14 while a lower end portion 21 b of the first accentportion 20 extends downward past the lower lateral edge 46 of the baseportion 24 of the audio panel 14. Similarly, an upper end portion 23 aof the second accent portion 22 extends upward past the upper lateraledge 44 of the base portion 24 of the audio panel 14 while a lower endportion 23 b of the second accent portion 22 extends downward past thelower lateral edge 46 of the base portion 24 of the audio panel 14.

The upper end portions 21 a, 23 a and the lower end portions 21 b, 23 bof the first and second accent portions 20, 22 extend from respectivecentral portions 21 c, 23 c of the first and second accent portions 20,22. The central portions 21 c, 23 c of the first and second accentportions 20, 22 are disposed adjacent to the base portion 24 of theaudio panel 14. Preferably, at least a portion of the first supportportion 40, such as tabs 58 or a base surface similar to base surface 43of the second support portion 42, is integrally formed with upper endportions 21 a, 23 a of the first and second accent portions 20, 22.Similarly, at least a portion of the second support portion 42, such asbase surface 43 or tabs similar to tabs 58 of the first support portion40, is preferably formed integrally with lower end portions 21 b, 23 bof the first and second accent portions 20,22. Integrally forming thetabs and/or base surface with upper end portions 21 a, 23 a and lowerend portions 21 b, 23 b of the first and second accent portions 20, 22provides rigidity to resist deformation of the upper end portions 21 a,23 a and lower end portions 21 b, 23 b.

The first groove 72 is positioned between the first accent surface 70and the first support portion 40 at the upper end portion 21 a of thefirst accent portion 20, the first groove 72 is positioned between thefirst accent surface 70 and the base portion 24 at the central portion21 c of the first accent portion 20, and the first groove 72 ispositioned between the first accent surface 70 and the second supportportion 42 at the lower end portion 21 b of the first accent portion 20.Accordingly, portions of the first groove 72 corresponding to theportions 21 a-21 c of the first accent portion 20 meet one another atthe upper and lower lateral edges 44, 46 of the base portion 24 of theaudio panel 14.

The second groove 76 is positioned between the second accent surface 74and the first support portion 40 at the upper end portion 23 a of thesecond accent portion 22, the second groove 76 is positioned between thesecond accent surface 74 and the base portion 24 at the central portion23 c of the second accent portion 22, and the second groove 76 ispositioned between the second accent surface 74 and the second supportportion 42 at the lower end portion 23 b of the second accent portion22. Accordingly, portions of the second groove 76 corresponding to theportions 21 a-21 c of the first accent portion 20 meet one another atthe upper and lower lateral edges 44, 46 of the base portion 24 of theaudio panel 14.

Continuation of the first and second accent portions 20, 22 above andbelow the base portion 24 of the audio panel 14 provides a consistentappearance for the first and second accent portions 20, 22 along thesides of the upper finisher panel 15, the audio panel 14, and the lowerfinisher panel 16.

As shown in FIG. 5, the audio head unit 18 and the audio panel 14 couldbe assembled with respect to each other prior to installation of theassembled audio head unit 18 and audio panel 14 with respect to theinstrument panel 12. This could be accomplished, for example, usingfasteners 80 that connect the audio head unit 18 to an interior surface82 of the audio panel 14. The audio panel 14 and the audio head unit 18can be supported by connection of the audio head unit 18 to a supportstructure 89, as shown in FIG. 7. The support structure 89 is a rigidstructure that is either rigidly or semi-rigidly connected to the bodyof the vehicle to provide a secure connection of the audio head unit 18to the body of the vehicle. For example, the support structure 89 couldbe a bracket or frame member that is connected to the body of thevehicle. Alternatively, the support structure 89 could comprise aportion of the body of the vehicle.

Because the audio head unit 18 can be connected to the audio panel 14prior to installation of the audio panel 14 with respect to theinstrument panel 12, the audio panel 14 is configured to allow the audiohead unit 18 to be fastened with respect to the support structure 89after the audio panel 14 and the audio head unit 18 are disposed withinthe center stack opening 26 of the instrument panel 12. For example, theaudio head unit 18 can be supported by an audio bracket 100. A singleaudio bracket 100 may be utilized, or multiple audio brackets 100 may beutilized to support the audio head unit 18. The audio head unit 18 isconnected to the audio bracket 100 by any conventional structure.

The audio bracket 100 is connected to the support structure 89 usingfasteners 102, such as screws, that extend through attachment flanges104 that are formed on the audio bracket 100. The fasteners 102 arepositioned such that they may be accessed using tools 106, such asscrewdrivers, when the upper finisher panel 15 and the lower finisherpanel 16 are not connected to the audio panel 14. Access to thefasteners 102 may be further accommodated by one or more of theapertures 60 in the first support portion 40 (not shown in FIG. 7), aswell as by one or more of the apertures 62 in the second support portion42.

A plane along which the upper support portion 40 is at least partiallylocated is defined between and extends from the upper end portion 21 aof the first accent panel 20 and the upper end portion 23 a of thesecond accent panel 22. At least a portion of the upper finisher panel15 could also be located along the plane defined between the upper endportions 21 a, 23 a of the accent panels 20, 22. At least a portion ofthe attachment tool 106 passes through the plane defined between theupper end portions 21 a, 23 a of the accent panels 20, 22 in order toaccess one or more of the fasteners 102 that attach the audio head unit18 to the support structure 89 above the audio head unit 18. The centerstack assembly could be configured such that the only way to access thefasteners 102 that attach the audio head unit 18 to the supportstructure 89 above the audio head unit 18 is by passing the tool 106through the plane defined between the upper end portions 21 a, 23 a ofthe accent panels 20, 22.

A plane along which the lower support portion 42 is at least partiallylocated is defined between and extends from the lower end portion 21 bof the first accent panel 20 and the lower end portion 23 b of thesecond accent panel 22. At least a portion of the lower finisher panel16 could also be located along the plane defined between the lower endportions 21 b, 23 b of the accent panels 20, 22. At least a portion ofthe attachment tool 106 passes through the plane defined between thelower end portions 21 b, 23 b of the accent panels 20, 22 in order toaccess one or more of the fasteners 102 that attach the audio head unit18 to the support structure 89 below the audio head unit 18. The centerstack assembly could be configured such that the only way to access thefasteners 102 that attach the audio head unit 18 to the supportstructure 89 below the audio head unit 18 is by passing the tool 106through the plane defined between the lower end portions 21 b, 23 b ofthe accent panels 20, 22.

As shown in FIG. 6, the audio panel 14 and the instrument panel 12 canbe interconnected for fit and finish. For example, a first fasteningstructure 84 can be provided on either or both of the first supportportion 40 and the second support portion 42 of the audio panel 14 forengagement with a second fastening structure 86 that is formed on aninterior portion 88 of the instrument panel 12. The first fasteningstructure 84 and the second fastening structure 86 may be any suitablepair of fastening structures. Similarly, a third fastening structure 85can be provided on either or both of the first accent panel 20 and thesecond accent panel 22 of the audio panel 14 for engagement with afourth fastening structure 87 that is formed on the interior portion 88of the instrument panel 12, as shown in FIG. 4. The third fasteningstructure 85 and the fourth fastening structure 87 may be any suitablepair of fastening structures.

By way of example, the first fastening structure 84 and the secondfastening structure 86 could be a clip and a corresponding clip opening,a screw and an aperture, a tab and a corresponding opening, or any othersuitable pair of fastening structures. Furthermore, inwardly extendingflanges 90 could be provided on the audio panel 14, extending inwardfrom the first accent surface 70 and the second accent surface 74 suchthat they are concealed when the center stack assembly 10 is assembled.The flanges 90 could be received within channels 92 that are formed onthe interior portion 88 of the instrument panel 12 adjacent to the firstside edge 30 and the second side edge 32 of the center stack opening 26of the instrument panel 12.

With further reference to FIG. 6, the lower finisher panel 16 isconnected to the audio panel 14 such that the second support portion 42thereof is concealed using, for example, a pair of complementaryfastening structures such as a fifth fastening structure 94 and a sixthfastening structure 96 may be provided on the lower finisher panel 16and the second support portion 42, respectively. The fifth fasteningstructure 94 and the sixth fastening structure 96 may be any suitablepair of fastening structures, including the examples stated with respectto the first fastening structure 84 and the second fastening structure86. The upper finisher panel 15 is similar in structure to the lowerfinisher panel 16 and can be connected to the audio panel 14 in asimilar manner to conceal the upper support portion 40.

The foregoing description relates to what is presently considered to bethe most practical embodiment. It is to be understood, however, that theinvention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments but, on thecontrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalentarrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appendedclaims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so asto encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as ispermitted under the law.

What is claimed is:
 1. A panel assembly, comprising: a trim panel havinga base portion, a support portion, and an accent portion, wherein theaccent portion is adjacent to the base portion and the support portion;and a finisher panel that is connected to the trim panel such that afirst perimeter edge of the finisher panel is adjacent to the baseportion of the trim panel, a second perimeter edge of the finisher panelis adjacent to the accent portion of the trim panel, and the supportportion is concealed by the finisher panel.
 2. The panel assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the accent portion of the trim panel includes a grooveand an accent surface, wherein a first portion of the groove is disposedbetween the accent surface and the base portion and a second portion ofthe groove is disposed between the accent surface and the supportportion.
 3. The panel assembly of claim 2, wherein the base portionborders the support portion at a perimeter edge of the base portion, andthe first portion of the groove meets the second portion of the grooveat the perimeter edge of the base portion.
 4. The panel assembly ofclaim 3, wherein the groove extends substantially transverse to theperimeter edge of the base portion.
 5. The panel assembly of claim 3,wherein the first perimeter edge of the finisher panel is adjacent tothe perimeter edge of the base portion.
 6. The panel assembly of claim5, wherein the first perimeter edge of the finisher panel and theperimeter edge of the base portion are substantially co-extensive. 7.The panel assembly of claim 2, wherein the accent surface of the accentportion and the base portion have different surface finishes.
 8. Thepanel assembly of claim 2, wherein the groove of the accent portion ispainted to resemble a panel gap, such that the accent portion and thebase portion appear to be separate panels.
 9. The panel assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the finisher panel includes a first fasteningstructure, and the support portion of the trim panel includes a secondfastening structure, such that the first fastening structure isconnected to the second fastening structure.
 10. The panel assembly ofclaim 1, further comprising: an audio head unit connected to the trimpanel.
 11. A panel assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising: a trimpanel having: a base portion, a support portion, wherein the baseportion and the support portion of the trim panel are separated by aperimeter edge of the trim panel, a first accent portion that ispositioned on a first side of the trim panel and including a firstgroove and a first accent surface, wherein a first portion of the firstgroove is disposed between the first accent surface and the baseportion, and a second portion of the first groove is disposed betweenthe first accent surface and the support portion; and a second accentportion that is positioned on a second side of the trim panel that isopposite the first side including a second groove and a second accentsurface, wherein a first portion of the second groove is disposedbetween the second accent surface and the base portion, and a secondportion of the second groove is disposed between the second accentsurface and the support portion; and a finisher panel that is connectedto the trim panel such that a first perimeter edge of the finisher panelis adjacent to the perimeter edge of the trim panel, a second perimeteredge of the finisher panel is adjacent to the first groove of the firstaccent portion of the trim panel, a third perimeter edge of the finisherpanel is adjacent to the second groove of the second accent portion ofthe trim panel, and the support portion is concealed by the finisherpanel.
 12. The panel assembly of claim 11, wherein the first portion andthe second portion of the first groove meet at the perimeter edge of thetrim panel, and the first portion and the second portion of the secondgroove meet at the perimeter edge of the trim panel.
 13. The panelassembly of claim 11, wherein the perimeter edge of the trim panelextends from the first groove to the second groove.
 14. The panelassembly of claim 11, wherein the first groove and the second grooveeach extend substantially transverse to the perimeter edge of the trimpanel.
 15. The panel assembly of claim 11, wherein the first perimeteredge of the finisher panel and the perimeter edge of the trim panel aresubstantially co-extensive.
 16. The panel assembly of claim 11, whereinthe finisher panel includes a first fastening structure, and the supportportion includes a second fastening structure, such that the firstfastening structure is connected to the second fastening structure. 17.The panel assembly of claim 11, wherein the first accent surface of thefirst accent portion and the second accent surface of the second accentportion have a different surface finish than the base portion.
 18. Thepanel assembly of claim 11, wherein the first groove and the secondgroove are each painted to resemble a panel gap, such that the firstaccent portion, the second accent portion, and the base portion appearto be separate panels.
 19. The panel assembly of claim 11, furthercomprising: an audio head unit connected to the trim panel.